Treatments

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a form of ancient Chinese medicine in which fine needles are inserted into the skin at certain points on the body.

It is a complementary or alternative medicine (CAM). This means that acupuncture is different in important ways from treatments that are part of conventional western medicine. Unlike conventional treatments, the use of acupuncture is not always based on scientific evidence.

Acupuncture is based on the belief that an energy, or ‘life force’, flows through the body in channels called meridians. This life force is known as Qi (pronounced ‘chee’).

Practitioners who adhere to traditional beliefs about acupuncture believe that when Qi cannot flow freely through the body, this can cause illness. They also believe that acupuncture can restore the flow of Qi, and so restore health.

Some scientists and acupuncturists believe that acupuncture may stimulate nerves and muscle tissue, and that this may be responsible for any beneficial effects.

Cupping

Cupping involves creating a vacuum within a glass, plastic or bamboo cup over an area of skin. The vacuum draws the skin and underlying tissue up into the cup. Sometimes the cup is retained in one location, and sometimes the cup is moved over an oiled area.

Cupping usually leaves round bruises, which may be red, purple or black, and may remain for anything up to a week. This is a normal side effect of cupping treatment.

Electro Acupunture

Electro-acupuncture was developed some time around the 1930s in China. It involves inserting acupuncture needles, then attaching electrodes to two or more needles and passing a current between them.

Electro-acupuncture treatment should not be used for patients with a pacemaker.

Tui Na

Tui Na is a Chinese medical massage. Various techniques can be used to warm up the entire area, stimulate specific acupuncture points and work along energy channels.

Tui Na massage is usually performed through clothing, without the use of oils. It is often used in conjunction with acupuncture, either before or after needling. Depending on the location of the needles, Tui Na may sometimes be performed while needles are retained.

Moxibustion

Moxibustion is the burning of the herb artemisia vulgaris or mugwort on or over the skin. It may be used in place of, or in addition to acupuncture. It is considered to have a range of therapeutic effects but will usually not be used on patients who already tend to feel hot.

There are four common methods of applying moxibustion:

Moxa stick – a ‘cigar’ of rolled mugwort is lit and held or moved over acupuncture points or large areas of the body.

Moxa cones – loose moxa is formed into a small cone, placed on an acupuncture point and burnt down until the patient feels the warmth. The cone is then quickly removed. A number of cones are usually used on each point, one after another. The point may then be needled.

Moxa on needle – a small roll of moxa is placed on the handle of a needle that has already been inserted and is then lit. The heat travels through the needle into the body.

Moxa box – loose moxa is placed within a box, the box is placed on a large area such as the abdomen or lower back and the moxa is then lit.